Departmental Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022

Tuesday, 26 April 2022

Questions (311)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

311. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if additional funding and personnel will be provided to Eirgrid and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities to ensure these agencies are fully resourced to deliver on the increased number of renewable project developments planned in the coming years; the requests for additional funding and personnel from these agencies have been made to Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20669/22]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The CRU has submitted their Strategic Plan for 2022-2024 which includes a Workforce Plan to increase the workforce over the next three years to ensure it can deliver on its objectives. While the CRU is not exchequer funded, my consent and that of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is required for the Workforce Plan. Official level engagement has been expedited to secure approval. EirGrid has been appointed the operator and asset owner of Ireland’s offshore electricity transmission system, with ownership resting with EirGrid at all stages of the phased transition, regardless of whether the grid has been developed by individual renewable energy projects or EirGrid. As a commercial state company, the resourcing required to deliver on EirGrid’s mandate is a matter for the board and management of the company